Retreads are proven to be safe and can be used in all positions on commercial trucks. However, since the maneuverability of the vehicle relies on the steer tires, there remain safety concerns about using retreads in this position.
Title 49, Part 393.75 (d) of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations states that no bus shall be operated with regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires on the front wheels.
“Trucking fleets that do not carry passengers are able to, at their discretion, utilize all-position retreads in any wheel position including steer tires,” says Ron Elliot, marketing, communications, and inside sales manager for Marangoni Tread North America.
Tom Clauer, senior manager of commercial and OTR product planning for Yokohama Tire confirms that retreads can be used as steer tires, but only if they are specifically certified.
“In very rare cases, steer positions can be retreaded,” Clauer says. “This requires the casing to be Certified Steer. Certified Steer retreads are on casings that have no repairs or injuries and pass the highest standards of the retreader. This is most common in waste operations, where slow speeds are the norm.”
While retreads can be used as steer tires in these instances, it is highly recommended that fleets consult an expert before doing so. New tires in the steer position often remain the safest solution.
